2 Samuel 21:8 Meaning and Explanation
“But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David selects seven of Saul's descendants: two sons of Rizpah and five he raised by Saul's daughter for Adriel.
What Does 2 Samuel 21:8 Mean?
The verse records which descendants were chosen to answer the debt: two sons borne to Saul by Rizpah, and five more connected to Saul's daughter and raised in the household of Adriel. The names are set down with care, so that these are not faceless victims but remembered persons.
Scripture refuses to let the cost of sin remain abstract. By naming Armoni, Mephibosheth, and the rest, the text honors lives caught in the consequences of another's wrongdoing. The reader feels the sorrow of it, and is drawn to long for the day when sin's reach into the innocent will be undone.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 21:8
What does 2 Samuel 21:8 mean?
David selects seven of Saul's descendants: two sons of Rizpah and five he raised by Saul's daughter for Adriel.